Second Boston Harbor Riot

The Second Boston Harbor Riot occurred in late November 1783. A patrol of Continental Army troops tried to break up a small riot of civilians, but a fight left four soldiers and one civilian dead.

History
Shortly after the end of the 1783 Boston Harbor Riot at the wharfs of Boston, Massachusetts, more people became willing to rise up against the Continental Army. Ratonhnhake:ton inspired a group of four people to start a riot, and they gathered followers, including many German immigrants. An army patrol under Captain Brendon Whitmill marched to the scene and planned to put down the riot at the ends of bayonets, but Ratonhnhake:ton killed many guards with hidden blades and was able to assassinate Whitmill in the confusion. Four US troops and one civilian were killed in the incident.